Widener hires Bobby Acosta from The College of New Jersey

The university announced that it has hired Bobby Acosta to replace Isaac Collins, who stepped down last month to become the head coach at Division II Seton Hill.

Acosta comes to Widener from The College of New Jersey, where he spent the last five seasons as the offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach and tight ends coach. He also serves as the team's academic adviser and strength and conditioning coach, and oversaw video editing.

The Lions went 4-6 overall last season and 3-5 in the NJAC. Acosta's offense ranked second in the conference in total offense (413.5 yards per game) and fifth in scoring (25.8 points per game).

"We are impressed with Bobby Acosta's accomplishments both on and off of the football field," Widener University President James T. Harris III said in a statement released by the university. "His role as academic advisor, his community outreach experience, and his track record of developing the leadership skills of student athletes aligns perfectly with the Widener mission. He also has an appetite for winning football games which is important to our football tradition."

Acosta takes over a team that went 11-1, won its 19th Middle Atlantic Conference championship and reached the NCAA Division III quarterfinals before falling to eventual champion Mount Union.

"I'm very excited," Acosta said. "As soon as I heard Widener opened up, I was attracted to the position. We have tremendous tradition and we can attract the best of players in the area."

When I talked to Jack (director of athletics Jack Shafer), I told him that nothing was broken. My main goal is to play for championships and to attract top quality student athletes. I'm very excited for the opportunity."

Acosta, a 1999 graduate of Rowan University, wore many hats at TCNJ. In addition to coaching football, he helped secure corporate sponsorships for the athletic department, worked with the Alumni Affairs Office, served as facility coordinator for the Fitness Center, served on the campus disciplinary board and was the coordinator of the school's community outreach program that included Special Olympics.

Prior to TCNJ, Acosta spent two seasons as the tight ends coach at the University of Delaware (2007-08). He was part of a staff that helped develop future Super Bowl quarterback Joe Flacco. He was the academic adviser for the Blue Hens and was part of the staff that helped Delaware reached the 2007 FCS championship game.